Test Taking Skills

Effective Study Techniques for Essay Tests

1. PREDICT QUESTIONS FROM YOUR NOTES.

If your notes list a group of people or things, the kind of essay question to predict is a short answer question.

Short answer questions usually include one of the following words: list, name,define, or identify.

TRACE QUESTIONS

If your notes show the steps in a process of the listing and development of something, you should predict a trace question.

Some key words or phrases usually found in trace questions are: "Describe the stepsin..."; "Outline the history or..."; "Trace the events leading up to..."; "Trace and development of...."

COMPARE AND CONTRAST QUESTIONS

If your notes describe two or more things that have some features which are similar and others which are different, predict a compare and contrast question.

Words or phrases found in these questions might be: "Compare and contrast..."; "Show the similarities and differences..."; "Tell how two things are alike and different...";"Weigh the advantages and disadvantages..."

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

If your notes describe the effects of one thing on another, or the significance of a particular event, or the role of a specific individual or institution, predict a discussion question.

These questions often begin: "Discuss the significance of..."; "Discuss the role of..."; "Discuss the effect of..."; "Discuss the relationship between...."

2. PRACTICE WRITING ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS YOU PREDICT.

3. PLAN YOUR APPROACH TO ANSWERING THE ACTUAL TEST QUESTIONS.

Note points assigned to each question and allot your time accordingly.

If you have a problem with a question, go on to the next one and come back to the first one later, if possible.